May 2017

Our annual triathlon was the perfect way to end the 2016-17 school year! Our participants did an incredible job and a huge thank you to Mrs. Braithwaite and all the teachers who helped organize and run the event!

Last night our LIA students were recognized for their service to the community and their efforts to continue to build community among peers and elsewhere. LIA is an organization whose mission it is to empower Latino youth to lead and strengthen their communities through college and career readiness. Congratulations to all of our LIA members for their diligence and commitment to helping others.

Each spring the PJHS Jazz Band sponsors a fundraising concert honoring the legacy of Jazz. Guests are treated to a classic jazz concert, a catered dinner served by PJHS band students and dancing. This year was outstanding!

PJHS Band Director Mrs. Connie Erickson really knows how to put on a show. The Concerto Concert featured our own PJHS bands along with guest artists:

• Art City Brass Quintet
• Trumpet players Jonathan, David and Byron Montgomery and
• Peg, Jeff and Jess Carter

Our day at Salem Pond was filled with smiles and laughs! Ms. Gunter's class loved playing park games and watching their friends catch fish. The highlight of the trip for the students was towards the end of the day when the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources emptied our their tank of fish into the pond. They watched fish flop into the water and loved every minute of it. Ms. Gunter's favorite part of the day was seeing how independent and responsible the students from Payson Junior High are.

Payson Junior High Orchestras performed for the very last time this year in front of each other and family and friends in a very wonderful concert.  It was full of beautiful songs and energetic, crowd-pleasing music that everyone seemed to enjoy.  The performers were well-prepared and eager to show their families a sample of all their hard work put in on their instruments both individually, and as groups, during the past several months.  

The Payson Junior High Track and Field Team have a lot to be proud of from their District Finals meet last week. Almost every athlete was able to participate, and the energy was high. We had several point scorers at the meet: Mark Hartland placed 3rd in the Men's 110m Hurdles. Jocelyn Tucker-Lund placed 4th in the Women's Mile and 6th in the 800m. Kate Golding placed 6th in the Women's Mile. Kasen Johnson placed 2nd in the Men's 400m and 4th in the 800m. Molly Mortensen placed 4th in the Women's High Jump, and Konnor Miner placed 7th in the Men's.

Free summer meals for youth up to 18 years old starting on June 5 at Constitution Park!

All FFA Members and Parents, save the date!  The Payson FFA Awards Night will be Thursday, May 18th at 7 p.m. in the Junior High Cafeteria.  If your son or daughter is in FFA they will be bringing an invitation home soon.  We hope to see you there! Please RSVP to Mrs. Thomas by May 22 - lindsy.thomas [at] nebo.edu